Sen. David Bullard

Maddy summarySB 1022 specifies that Oklahoma's Secretary of State must create rules about the qualifications for people who circulate and collect signatures for initiative and referendum petitions. This bill directly affects individuals and groups seeking to place measures on the ballot by establishing clear standards for signature gatherers. The key provision requires the Secretary of State to promulgate these rules under existing law, rather than leaving it to discretion. The bill includes an emergency clause to take effect immediately upon approval. This is a procedural change to administrative rules, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summaryHB 1239 makes chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and ivermectin available over-the-counter without a prescription. Pharmacists and pharmacies are prohibited from requiring a prescription for these drugs. Violations result in immediate license revocation and a $100,000 fine per occurrence. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1164 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to return custody of children to parents or guardians within 72 hours if criminal charges against them are dismissed, dropped, or result in a not-guilty verdict. It mandates expunging all related investigation records within 72 hours and returning personal property taken during removal. Exceptions allowing continued separation require a court-approved emergency motion with clear evidence of imminent danger, documented with findings of fact. Noncompliance may trigger civil penalties under federal law, criminal charges for misconduct, or funding audits. The bill directly affects families involved in child welfare cases where criminal charges were resolved in their favor.

Maddy summarySB 1009 defines a "basin integrity study" in Oklahoma law as a scientific study to determine sustainable water flow levels in rivers and streams for specific basins and seasons. These studies must consider water needs for drinking, farming, tourism, environmental health, and economic development. The bill explicitly states such studies cannot be used to revoke private water rights or interfere with existing senior water permits. The definition becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1964 establishes Oklahoma's "Parents' Bill of Rights," requiring public school districts to create policies that give parents specific rights regarding their children's education. It mandates schools to provide parents with access to all learning materials and curricula, allow them to withdraw children from instruction or activities related to sex, gender, race, religion, or "ideological" content (including diversity initiatives), and obtain written consent before students participate in certain programs. Schools must also notify parents in advance about social-emotional learning, religion, or sexuality content outside formal sex education classes. Parents can sue schools for damages if a violation causes harm to their child, and schools face fines for noncompliance. The bill directly affects all public school students and parents in Oklahoma.

Maddy summaryHB 1148 protects whistleblowers who report wrongdoing by state agencies, local governments, public trusts, or private employers with supervisory roles. It makes retaliation - including termination, demotion, or intimidation - a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Whistleblowers who successfully sue for retaliation can recover economic damages, emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1236 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax exemption for motor vehicle sales to clarify how trade-in values affect tax calculations. It amends Section 1355 of the Oklahoma Statutes to specify that when a trade-in is included in a vehicle sale, the tax exemption applies only to the difference between the trade-in value and the new vehicle's price, not the full sales amount. This change directly affects car buyers, dealers, and tax collectors by adjusting how the 1.25% excise tax exemption is calculated during transactions involving trade-ins. The bill also confirms motor vehicle sales remain exempt from local sales and use taxes, as previously stated in Section 2106.

Maddy summarySB 856 allows designated public school personnel in Oklahoma to carry concealed handguns on school property under specific conditions. It requires qualifying staff (such as those with armed security licenses, reserve peace officer certifications, or valid handgun licenses plus 24 hours of training including weapon retention and active shooter drills) to complete biennial training. School boards must adopt policies authorizing this, and the bill removes prior storage requirements for firearms on school grounds. The law directly affects public school districts and their designated personnel, clarifying liability protections for schools that adopt such policies. It updates existing statutes to permit this change while maintaining prohibitions on firearm carry for most other individuals on school property.

Maddy summarySB 884, the Oklahoma Right to Life Act, prohibits most abortions in Oklahoma, defining "abortion" as any action intending to terminate a pregnancy except when a health care provider determines a life-threatening condition exists for the pregnant person. The bill requires health care providers to make "every reasonable effort" to deliver the unborn person alive in such emergencies, with immunity from criminal prosecution or civil liability for providers who follow this standard. Violating the abortion prohibition carries a criminal penalty of first-degree murder under Oklahoma law. The bill directly affects health care providers performing abortions and individuals seeking abortion services, with no exceptions for rape or incest.

Maddy summarySB 883 prohibits the provision of abortion-inducing drugs (like mifepristone and misoprostol) in Oklahoma when intended to terminate a pregnancy. It applies directly to healthcare providers and others who prescribe, dispense, or distribute such drugs for abortion purposes, excluding drugs prescribed for other medical reasons. Violations carry felony charges and potential revocation of professional licenses. The bill repeals multiple existing Oklahoma statutes related to abortion drugs and declares an emergency to take effect immediately.